High Horse
Reclaiming the legacy of Black cowboys.
Filmmaker Jordan Peele, who redefined horror with Get Out and Nope, explores a different genre in High Horse: The Black Cowboy.
The three-part docuseries, produced by Peele and directed by Jason Perez, confronts the erasure of Black cowboys from America’s cultural memory.
High Horse: The Black Cowboy
Through archival footage, interviews, and pop culture analysis, the film dismantles the whitewashed image of the cowboy. According to historians, one in four cowboys in the 19th century were Black, and, until recently, Hollywood ignored their existence. High Horse highlights legendary figures like Bass Reeves while amplifying contemporary voices such as Bun B and Tina Knowles, who connect the cowboy tradition to modern Black identity.
The production is visually striking, weaving rodeo culture, hip-hop, and Western iconography into a narrative that is both educational and entertaining. High Horse is, in many ways, similar to Nope, which also reclaimed Black presence in the Western genre.
Episodes
In episode 1, Roots and Reality, we learn about the deep historical roots of Black cowboys. This episode challenges long-held myths and showcases Black cowboys’ vital role in the Old West through compelling archival footage and expert insights.
Episode 2, Cultural Legacy, looks at the numerous ways cowboy tradition shapes modern Black identity. This episode features powerful voices from hip-hop, history, and culture that help illuminate the enduring influence of Black cowboys.
The concluding episode, Reclaiming the Narrative, confronts the widespread erasure of Black cowboys in media and popular culture, underscoring the urgent need to reclaim and honor this rich legacy.
High Horse: The Black Cowboy is more than a documentary—it is a cultural correction. Peele’s latest project insists that Black cowboys belong at the center of America’s story, not its margins. While brisk in scope, the series succeeds in reframing the myth of the West and reminding audiences that history is richer, more diverse, and more complex than Hollywood ever allowed.
